Kiely resistance earns Charlton unlikely reward

Strike two: Shaun Bartlett scores for Charlton

By Mark Ogden

12:01AM GMT 28 Feb 2005

Middlesbrough (0) 2 Charlton (1) 2

Danny Graham's rescue act four minutes after climbing off the substitutes' bench may have helped Middlesbrough keep Charlton at arms length in the increasingly congested race for a European spot, but this game would have been a no contest but for the heroics of Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

The home side twice came from behind to level the scores in a game that they dominated and Steve McClaren's team also had to overcome the effects of their midweek exertions in the UEFA Cup before securing the point they deserved.

Middlesbrough's weary legs weighed the team down in the first half and Matt Holland's opener was a case in point, with Talal El Karkouri's long ball turning defence into attack and enabling Shaun Bartlett to tee up the on-rushing Holland with a pass on the edge of the penalty area.

Holland's 20-yard strike benefited from a deflection off the boot of Franck Queudrue, but the goal served to wake Boro from their slumber.

Initially, however, every opportunity carved out by the home side was snuffed out by the heroic Kiely. From his point-blank save from Szilard Nemeth in the 16th minute through to the parried save from Gareth Southgate's toe-poke, which led to Chris Riggott's equaliser, Kiely was imperious.

McClaren said: "We would have won the game but for him. I counted five or six outstanding saves by him."

Kiely's resistance finally broke 16 minutes from time, but it required a slice of luck on Middlesbrough's part to beat the goalkeeper. Kiely had again saved brilliantly to keep out Southgate's close-range effort, but the ball dropped to Riggott inside the six-yard box. The defender was at least a yard offside, but the offence was missed by the officials and Boro were level.

It was a deserved equaliser, but Charlton turned the game on its head when they restored their lead with their first second-half foray into Middlesbrough territory.

Hermann Hreidarsson's run to the by-line went unchecked and his cross, missed by Jason Euell, was buried by Bartlett at the far post.

In an act of desperation, McClaren turned to Graham. The 19-year-old, who spent time on loan at Darlington last season, did not let his manager down, though, and he bravely headed Queudrue's long ball over Kiely to register his first league goal.

Charlton manager Alan Curbishley said: "This is still a good point for us because Boro haven't pulled any further away and Bolton lost at Newcastle. After Fulham away next week, we have three successive home games and they are going to shape our season."

Graham received a boot in the face from defender Chris Perry as he sent his looping header into the net but it was a price worth paying, according to McClaren.

He said: "Danny suffered a broken nose when he scored the goal, but he's a good old-fashioned forward who isn't worried about going where the boots are flying. He's out of contract in the summer, but we're in negotiations and I don't think we are too far away."